Klarinet Archive - Posting 000677.txt from 1996/12

From: Michael Thrasher <mt0003@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: French Composers
Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 14:38:57 -0500

On Mon, 30 Dec 1996, Alex Bellamy wrote:

> I am just writing a message to see if anyone can help me. I am an A-level
> music student and for music I have to write a dissertaiton on any chosen
> topic. As I am a clarinetist, I have chosen French Clarinet Music of the
> Late 19th and Early Twentith centuries. Two main composers of this time
> were Camille Saint-Saens and Francais Poulenc who I know both wrote
> clarinet sonatas - because I am currently playing them! However, after
> searching through my two local libraries I cannot find any information on
> these two pieces (or any other french composers who wrote for clarinet.)
> This is where I ask your help.

An outstanding article on French clarinet music is:

Paul, Jean Marie. "Clarinet and Piano in France: Eighty Years of
Music--1860-1940." The Clarinet Part I: 8/3; Part II: 8/4.

The author notes that "the scores are not necessarily from French
composers, but music published in France during this period."
Nonetheless, this very lengthy bibliography could be of help to you.

As always, when looking for basic information on composers and works,
don't forget to use The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and
Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. Even if they don't give you
the information you need, their articles frequently contain thorough
bibliographies that can lead you to other sources.

Michael Thrasher